ATLANTA – The Gators tried to burst through the middle, but made no progress. They made it wide around the Crimson Tide’s end, but still fell short of the goal line by a single yard.

Next they attempted to go over the top, and University of Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans popped out of the chaos to tackle Florida running back Jordan Scarlett for a loss of a yard, with help from defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand.

The Gators had one more shot, but after an incomplete pass, the Crimson Tide took over on downs.

“That was a great goal-line stand,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “Then, we took the ball 98 yards (to score). I think that was the turning point of the game psychologically for our team and for their team.”

Florida never came back after that. Instead, Alabama went on to convincingly win its third consecutive SEC Championship Game, 54-16, on Saturday in the Georgia Dome.

It would have been a 10-point game had the Gators scored, but instead it became a 24-point deficit after the Crimson Tide’s following touchdown. It ended as a 38-point difference.

“We don’t like close games,” Alabama defensive lineman Da’Ron Payne said. “We like blowouts.”

The 6-foot-2, 319-pounder doesn’t only credit Alabama’s physicality up front for the line’s success, but also the linebackers for filling the gaps. One was even named the game’s MVP: Reuben Foster tallied 11 total tackles (nine solo) and two sacks for a loss of 15 yards.

It was a group effort, and before he went down with a knee injury during the third quarter, linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton contributed to that. He made a tackle, but also snagged an interception that he ran back for 40 yards. After the game, Saban confirmed that Hamilton will likely be out for the rest of the season.

“He’ll be missed,” Saban said, “but we have a lot of confidence in Raashan."

All together, Alabama's defense wracked up nine tackles for loss and eight quarterback hurries. There was constant pressure at the line of scrimmage.

The Crimson Tide has given up the fewest rushing touchdowns than any other team in the country. The last team to find the end zone by foot against Alabama was Tennessee on Oct. 15. That remains true.

In fact, the Gators finished without a single rushing yard. All of the 51 yards they picked up on the ground were ultimately negated.

“Our defensive line is relentless,” Evans said. “We don’t care who we go against, we try to play ball, and that’s what happened.”

Florida had eight rushers, too. Scarlett led with 11 carries for 17 yards. Quarterback Austin Appleby rounded out the group with minus-32 rushing yards on five attempts, four of which were sacks.

Although Appleby completed 26 of his 39 passes for 261 yards, Alabama did break up three and intercepted another three. Defensive back Tony Brown snagged one, but immediately went down. Hamilton had his 40-yarder. Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick returned his 44 yards to score.

Most of the Crimson Tide’s defensive damage, however, remained on the ground.

“Stopping the run is Alabama football,” Payne said.